Storage Tips

1.     Before you store your items, make sure everything is completely dry and there are no traces of moisture.  This is especially recommended if you’re storing swimming gear, surfboards, etc.

2.     Install a vapor barrier.  One way to damp-proof your storage space is to install a vapor barrier, a polyethylene plastic or foil that is placed on the warm side of the storage wall in order to block outdoor moisture.

3.    Protect your belongings with materials that absorb moisture.  For example, silica gel desiccant is a very good moisture absorbent.  Make sure you check the expiration and replace them when they expire.

4.    Pack books in acid-free boxes that breathe, such as acid-free cardboard.  Other items like electronics, dishes and so on are safest in airtight plastic boxes that will keep humidity out.  However, even if you dry everything carefully, there may be some residual moisture.  Put a desiccant pack in each box.

5.    Use charcoal.  Charcoal is a natural alternative to silicone gel desiccant. Charcoal briquettes absorb not only moisture, but unpleasant odors as well.  Wrap them in fabric and sew them up. You can also place them on a metal tray, inside a bucket or basket lined with foil or plastic. Replace the briquettes every month or two.  However, when handling charcoal, you should be very careful not to stain some of your belongings, so never put it against items that could be damaged. To protect your possessions from stains and other damage, make sure that your storage unit is well organized.

6.    Another way to help keep moisture out is to pour some fresh, unscented, clay kitty litter into a bucket.  This will work as a makeshift, powerless dehumidifier that will work for around 6 months when humidity is low.  Replace more frequently when humidity is at its highest.

It is virtually impossible to get rid of all the mold spores that exist on your personal belongings, but reducing the amount of moisture in the air is the most important way to prevent the mold and mildew from spreading.

Mold and mildew can grow on a variety of items in a self storage unit. These tiny fungal organisms are found virtually everywhere, but because they are invisible to the naked eye, we rarely notice or worry about them. However, whenever you create a contained space (such as a storage unit full of your belongings), you are creating an ideal environment for them to spread—and become not only visible, but problematic.

Although you might think that temperature alone can help prevent mold and mildew from spreading, humidity is actually the biggest culprit. If you can keep the humidity below the 50 percent range, you have a better chance of reducing mold and mildew from spreading.

The items most susceptible to damages include:

·       Leather

·       Clothing

·       Soft plastics

·       Paper products (including cardboard boxes)

·       Wood

·       Upholstered furniture

·       Mattresses

Kitchen appliances that haven’t been properly cleaned before storage can also pose a high risk of mold growth. In fact, if you don’t take care of these items before you put them in storage, they can exacerbate the mold problem, causing it to spread faster to the other items in your storage unit.

Final note:  Be proactive when packing your belongings.  Place silica desiccant bags in every box you pack.  Check on your items frequently.  And replace desiccant bags regularly when humidity is at its highest.